I is one thing to do it in the abstract,, but practicing on real people  keeps me stuck in prose.  But that  is a start. ______,   you are doing your best. You might not be doing as well as you would prefer, but right…

I hear you pattering, plinking, Trickling in rivulets down rock walls Soaking the lush explosion of green, Running down from volcanic hillsides, feeding the sea Feeding the gardens, the trees, Cooling the sticky, sweltering air, A pleasant chill on bare skin as I gaze into…

One Dress I know your life was not easy Immigrant parents With little English Farmers during the depression Thirteen brothers and sisters Alcoholic father   You had one dress Only one No plumbing You drank from the well Poor education   You started working during…

 A Grandpa’s Love When I was young, my grandfather taught me so much about life; I learned to cook, and I learned to fish, and I learned about surviving through strife. I learned about camping and campfire coffee, pinching toes I soon learned to avoid….

I Sing your praises At the top of the mountain For the world to hear

wanted to write about chlorine for weeks became it for a time hoping to find caesium thought it was poetic that it needed completing considered how the smell doesn’t leave how when I think of it I think of lifeguarding how I think of Jamie…

There is a little flightless bird that lives in my paper. He has many friends and gets into many capers. He has a perpetual tuxedo complete with bow tie And he takes me back to a time when all was right. His laughter and tears…

I woke up this morning, An hour later than planned, I couldn’t pull my thoughts together, Still I knew today would be grand. Didn’t want any food, I didn’t want to cook. I could taste that cup of coffee, That was all it took. One…

The right side of a shelf in my room The left side of the cupboard in my brother’s My sister’s desk only on Sundays and you were over the moon A tiny space for you, dear Father   That was all he had, the kindest…

it’s so easy to get lost in dismay an attitude of gratitude goes a long, long way   When i wake up, i thank my maker When i pour my cup, i thank my “coffee-maker” When i go to work, i thank the pay-paychecker When i…